In keeping with the chair of the GOP’s government committee in Miami, Rene Garcia, they’re conscious of the “fringe components” current within the influential panel. However having a couple of Proud Boys on board—together with these charged with obstructing Congress or impeding police on Jan. 6, 2021—is, apparently, simply par for the course.
“Sure, we now have totally different factors of view in our get together. That’s how we’re. And my job as Republican chairman is to guard everybody’s First Modification proper, nonetheless unsuitable they might be,” Garcia advised the Instances.
In February, the Miami Herald reported at size on the unfold of extremist right-wing ideologues into Florida life and politics. In truth, when it comes to January 6 defendants, the outlet famous, no different state claimed extra defendants than the Sunshine State. Granted, there are 21 million those who stay in Florida, due to this fact growing the likelihood of their presence within the defendant pool.
But it surely’s not only a numbers recreation.
A plethora of the nation’s most outstanding right-wing figures name Florida house together with Roger Stone and Michael Flynn. The onetime president of the Proud Boys, Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, can also be from Miami and the group has had important success disseminating its message inside and outdoors of the state’s borders.
The Southern Poverty Legislation Heart remarked on this phenomenon to the Miami Herald.
Rachel Carroll Rivas, a senior analysis analyst for SPLC mentioned in February:
“These nationwide gamers can converse to audiences across the nation — they select to be based mostly in Florida, however they’re additionally influenced by the politics of Florida and affect Florida politics. And in that manner, they really export Florida tradition throughout the nation.”
There are additionally numerous hate teams that decision Florida house. Within the final twenty years, extremist teams of every type have expanded within the state from proper round 40 teams in 2000 to 68 recognized right this moment.
The variety of hate teams throughout America total has shrunk not too long ago, based on the SPLC’s most recent report, however the Proud Boys aren’t shedding any momentum. In truth, evaluation has proven a rise within the variety of Proud Boys chapter divisions cropping up within the U.S.
As famous by the Instances on Thursday, self-starter teams like Miami Against Fascism have invested their power into finding out who within the Miami-Dade Republican Get together could have ties to the hate group.
At the moment, the Miami-Dade Republican Govt Committee members embrace Jan. 6 defendants Gilbert Fonticoba and Gabriel Garcia, for instance.
Fonticoba was charged with obstructing Congress on Jan. 6. He faces a plenty of different costs and has pleaded not responsible. In keeping with an order from the U.S. District Decide Timothy Kelly in Washington, D.C., Fonticoba’s subsequent look is slated for August. Upfront of his trial, Fonticoba has requested for extra time to evaluate the “voluminous discovery” introduced to him by prosecutors.
Gabriel Garcia, who faces costs together with coming into a restricted space on Jan. 6, violent entry, disorderly conduct and extra, additionally sits on the Miami Republican Get together Govt Committee.
In keeping with the Instances, Garcia has mentioned that he’s not a member of the Proud Boys. An legal professional for Garcia couldn’t instantly be reached by Every day Kos.
Prosecutors mentioned that Garcia screamed at U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, calling them “fucking traitors” as he allegedly urged these round him to storm the Capitol.
“USA!” Garcia was heard chanting in a Fb video he uploaded. “Storm this shit!”
In one other video, Garcia is heard allegedly taunting Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asking her to “come out and play.”
Garcia has railed towards claims that the Proud Boys are a hate group. When he ran for a Home seat in Florida final 12 months, the previous U.S. Military Captain mentioned these descriptions have been false. He has pleaded not responsible.
In an interview with the Miami Herald, Garcia deflected the accusations and blamed antifa for violence within the U.S.
One other member of the committee is Chris Barcenas. Although Barcenas didn’t go into the Capitol on Jan. 6 and has not been charged with any crimes, he was on the Capitol that day and has been recognized by teams like Miami Towards Fascism as a member of the Proud Boys.
He has additionally not appeared to contest his membership with the group; he reporetedly testified earlier this 12 months in personal earlier than the Jan. 6 Committee to debate Proud Boys and their function in Jan. 6.
One other member of the GOP’s government committee, Barbara Balmaseda, not too long ago stepped down when footage began to flow into of her on Capitol grounds on Jan. 6. She mentioned her resignation was based mostly on her want to give attention to different work and that she felt the chief committee had develop into a drama-filled “waste of time.”
Balmaseda as soon as interned for Florida Senator Marco Rubio and labored as a marketing campaign organizer for Ron DeSantis. She was additionally a subject organizer for the GOP in Florida and has managed campaigns for aspiring legislators like Omar Blanco and Illeana Garcia.
Although she not too long ago left the chief committee, she has opted to stay on the board of the Miami Younger Republicans.
Notably, on-line sleuths have claimed that they’ve recognized Balmaseda on the rally on Jan. 6 and in proximity to alleged Jan. 6 conspirator and Proud Boy Ethan Nordean.
Balmaseda has not commented on the photographs. The Instances reported that the FBI visited her within the aftermath of the assault in search of an interview however she declined.
An legal professional for Balmaseda didn’t instantly return a request for remark Thursday.
Balmaseda’s boyfriend, Brandon Diaz, served till very not too long ago as the chief director for the GOP’s get together in Miami. He allegedly left the place to give attention to his day job.
He has denied having any function in bringing Proud Boys into the committee’s fold in Miami and has denied any private involvement with the group.
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